Sport

Sykes targets third win

STOURBRIDGE rally driver Richard Sykes will be targeting his third win in three events this season when he contests the latest round of the British Rally Championship (BRC) Challenge.

After wins on the Pirelli and Jim Clark Challenge events, Sykes and co-driver Emma Morrison lead the championship in their Bathams Brewery and G I Sykes Ltd-supported Citroën C2 R200. They are now set to take on the Scottish Rally this weekend.

They are hoping for better luck than they had on last year’s event when a puncture dropped them down the leaderboard from second place.

“The puncture dropped us down to ninth which was hugely disappointing,” said Sykes. “We managed to fight back to fifth at the finish but we lost a lot of points. It’s the only puncture I’ve had on my Silverstone tyres in four years, they are normally very good and, dare I say it, more puncture resistant than most.”

“I’m in two minds whether to push hard for another win or have a steady run and make sure we get a good haul of championship points. The trouble is, when I get behind the wheel and put the helmet on, there is only one way I can drive on the gravel tracks and that is flat out.”

Sykes’ car is still damaged from the accident it suffered when another car pulled out in front of it before the Jim Clark Rally but the damage shouldn’t hinder the performance.

“The car is not quite straight but we will have to dial that out and get on with it. After the tarmac roads of the Jim Clark we’ve put the car back into forest specification ready for the gravel tracks the Scottish will use.”

“A third win would be brilliant but any podium result will leave us in a very healthy championship position before we head to Ulster and the Isle of Man for the next rounds.”